Doing together: reflections on facilitating the co-production of participatory action research with marginalised populations

Abstract

Recognising the limited literature detailing the practical application of coproduction principles and practices within sport, exercise and health research, critical reflections on co-production principles and practice are shared here, drawing on two participatory action research (PAR) projects in the United Kingdom (UK). Co-production and PAR are distinguished, and their commonalities discussed. Both projects were facilitated by occupational therapists and concerned with health inequities and social justice. The Voices for Inclusive Activity project brought disabled people together online to explore more accessible and inclusive approaches to evaluate disability sport and physical activity. The Positive Mental Attitude project took place with a community-based football league for people with experience of mental distress and explored the nature and value of participation. Both projects involved researching with people who are often excluded from research. Addressing power imbalances can function to engage marginalised people in processes of knowledge production and enable social justice. Co-production offers useful principles that are democratic, inclusive, collaborative, and participatory, but the process is not straightforward. The reflections within this paper focus on the challenges and opportunities the first and second authors faced as facilitators of co-produced research. Participant and co-researcher quotes reveal how participatory methods and approaches address gaps in experiential knowledge of exclusion and marginalisation. The potential for coproduced research to influence policy and practice is outlined.

Narratives of experts by experience: A journey from criminal to expert

“…Pettican et al (2023) argue that addressing power imbalances can help engage marginalised people in processes of knowledge production, and enable social justice. Glasby and Beresford (2006, p. 268) state that ‘knowledge-based practice’ acknowledges that the lived experience of service users can be just as valid a way of knowing the world as formal research.…”

“…Drawing from the study, social work practitioners need to engage in a more inclusive dialogue in order to find alternative methodologies for experts by experience who practice social work. Pettican et al (2023) argue that addressing power imbalances can help engage marginalised people in processes of knowledge production, and enable social justice. Glasby and Beresford (2006, p. 268) state that 'knowledge-based practice' acknowledges that the lived experience of service users can be just as valid a way of knowing the world as formal research.…”

Youth-led co-production of mental health promotion in Pakistan: intergenerational influences

“…To this effect, peer educators provided a safe space for non-judgemental interaction, communication, framing and synthesizing intergenerational perspectives. These role components have been shown to be important in generating knowledge by addressing power imbalances and health inequalities ( Pettican et al , 2022 ). Facilitation of co-production in this study focused on co-design, which would lead to co-delivery and co-assessment ( Gheduzzi et al , 2021 ) in the next phase of this research programme.…”

Reflections and practical tips from co-producing an intervention with neurodiverse children, their families, and professional stakeholders

“…Co-production has been described as a partnership where everyone works towards a mutually agreed aim, plays an active part, and existing skills, experience, and knowledge are valued (Pettican et al, 2023). Co-design is a related but separate creative process, where individuals who are not designers work in partnership with those who are designers to improve services or develop interventions.…”